Spotlight's Glare Fine With Rookie Sox Pitcher

TUCSON, Ariz. — It started on a whim. Aaron Myette was mowing down opposing hitters in a minor-league game last year when one of his teammates suggested he apply eye black to his face.

Position players use the stuff all the time to combat glare, figuring it will help their chances of catching a popup. But Myette is a pitcher, and on this day, there was no need to worry about the sun. It was a night game. "There was some glare from the (stadium) lights," Myette said. "At least that's my excuse."

If Myette keeps pitching the way he did last season, he won't need an excuse for his odd behavior. Myette dominated the Class A ranks last season, posting a combined record of 13-6 with a 2.33 earned-run average after stops at Hickory and Winston-Salem. Not only is the 21-year-old right-hander the best pitching prospect in the Sox's system, but he also has been so impressive in spring training that might earn a spot in the rotation by midseason--if not sooner.

"What I have seen from him is quality, quality pitches," Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. "I like him a lot--his look, his attitude. He could be a pleasant surprise for us."

So could he leave Tucson with a job in the Sox's rotation? "Sure, it's possible," Manuel replied.

The 6-foot-4-inch Myette, who was taken with the 43rd overall pick in the 1997 draft, throws 94 m.p.h. and has command of four pitches. Last season, he struck out 157 and walked only 44.

Sox General Manager Ron Schueler saw Myette pitch in August and walked away astonished. "The night I saw him, he could have pitched in Chicago for us," he said, referring to a game against Lynchburg in which Myette struck out 15. "He had great command, he changed speeds, and he loved to pitch inside. He obviously has a lot of talent, but we don't want to rush the kid."

The Sox have not been shy recently about promoting players to the big leagues from Class A. Pitcher Carlos Castillo was only 21 when he made the jump in 1997. Shortstop Mike Caruso did the same last year, and finished third in voting for the American League Rookie of the Year award. The success of Castillo and Caruso should work in Myette's favor.

"We spend countless hours in discussion before making a decision like that," said Ken Williams, the Sox's farm director. "We have to be sure he can handle (failure), and have the fire to improve after it."

Sox left-hander Jim Parque fell into that category. He earned a big-league promotion in May after only 10 starts above Class A. True, Parque had pitched for three years at UCLA, but he was only 22.

"Age is never a problem," Schueler said. "It's experience. We don't want to rush (Myette), but we do think this is a kid who could handle a setback."

Myette's confidence is what gives the Sox confidence in him. "I remember when we signed him (in June 1997)," Schueler said. "He was a quiet, timid kid. It's great to see his personality blossom."

Myette certainly doesn't come across as a faint-hearted minor-leaguer. He's well aware that he's in an organization that promoted 11 rookies to the Show last year.

"Oh, yeah, I love that," he said.

Myette has plenty of competition for a fifth spot, including Jaime Navarro, Tom Fordham, Scott Eyre, Kevin Beirne and Castillo. All except Beirne have big-league experience, but Manuel said that will not be the determining factor.

And the second-year manager seems to like the fact that Myette is a little quirky. "I asked him why he hasn't put on the (eye black) yet," Manuel said. "He said, `Because the games haven't started.' I told him, `You know you can't wear that stuff in the major leagues.' "

Actually he might be allowed to. As one member of the Sox's front-office pointed out, if a hitter complains that the eye black is a distraction, Myette could say that the color matches the Sox's uniforms.

The Sox figure that the issue will be raised. Sooner than people think.